WHEREAS the violence experienced by Aboriginal women and girls in Canada is a national tragedy and the Sisters in Spirit research, education and policy initiative of the Native Women's Association of Canada, gives a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves.

The Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto is a cultural-based organization committed to providing supportive programs and services to empower and enrich Aboriginal women and children to build strong families and communities.

Many organizations in support of the Native Women's Association of Canada's Sisters in Spirit initiative strive to raise community awareness to the alarmingly high rates of violence against Aboriginal women and girls in our communities.

This year, Toronto joins more than seventy cities and communities across Canada in Sisters in Spirit Day for the sixth annual vigil to raise awareness of and end violence.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim October 4, 2011 as "Sisters in Spirit Day"in the City of Toronto and support ending the violence against Aboriginal women and girls.